Abstract
This thesis examines the writing systems of two ancient societies: the Latin alphabet as a writing system within the Roman Empire and the hieroglyphic writing system within the Maya city-state. This thesis first situates writing as a technology and explains the common uses of writing systems in modern contexts, before turning to an examination of the past. Next, basic literary patterns—including estimated literacy rates, education patterns and opportunities, types of documents, and themes within writing—are examined within the context of both societies. After evaluating these literary patterns, as well as the social, political, and economic organization of both societies, this thesis examines the relationship between these writing systems and their respective societies. The literary patterns discussed in the context of these writing systems reflect the previously discussed socio-political-economic hierarchies within the two farming societies. Additionally, these literary patterns are used to examine the reflection of a society’s food surplus—one based on wheat within the Roman Empire and one supported by maize in the Maya city-state—within written documents, as well as the differences formed among these farming societies due to their respective forms of subsistence.
Semester/Year of Award
Spring 2020
Mentor
Kelli Carmean
Mentor Department Affiliation
Language and Cultural Studies, Anthropology, and Sociology
Access Options
Open Access Thesis
Document Type
Bachelor Thesis
Degree Name
Honors Scholars
Degree Level
Bachelor's
Department
Language and Cultural Studies, Anthropology, and Sociology
Department Name when Degree Awarded
Anthropology, Sociology, and Social Work
Recommended Citation
Gripshover, Sarah M., "Writing Systems as a Reflection of Ancient Societies" (2020). Honors Theses. 730.
https://encompass.eku.edu/honors_theses/730
